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<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head> <title>Computermusic Buyers Guide</title> <meta name="description" content="Computer Music"> <meta name="keywords" content="samples,loops,drums,music,synth,drumloops,drum-loops,sampling,MP3,WAV,bass,tunes,songs,exposure,computer music,bands,MIDI,tutorials,breaks,beats,riffs,plugin,plug-in,software,gear,reviews,guitar,Cubase,Cakewalk,Logic,Cubasis,Musicshop,DJ,musician,acid,reason,sound,modules,mixers,soundcard,soundcards,sw1000xg,yamaha,soundblaster,soundblaster live,audio,forum,girls,product,products,product guide,intermusic,guides,guidance,internet,resource,resources,readers,easy,anything,computer,computers,soft synth,soft-synth,soft synths,soft-synths,VST,VSTi,DSP,A/D,remix,mix,mixing,master,EQ,compression,effects,reverb,chorus,vocals,tips"> <meta name="rating" content="general"> </head><body <body BACKGROUND="img/grey_grain.gif" onLoad="if(window.startFutureBar)window.startFutureBar();" bgcolor="#cccccc" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" topmargin="0" leftmargin="0"> <br> <table align="center" width="750" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" border="1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" bordercolor="#000000"> <td width="750"> <br> <table width="650" align="center" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tr> <td> <img src="img/buyershead.gif"><br> <P><font face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"><b>E</b>very product reviewed over the last 11 issues of <i>Computer Music</i> (plus a few from even further back than that) gets summarised and rated here, so you can make informed decisions before you part with your cash...</font></p><font face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> <!--begin nav--> <table width="100%" border=0 cellspacing=0 bgcolor="#00000" cellpadding=2> <tr> <td height=19><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="#FFFFFF" size=2><b>Navigation</b></font></td> </tr> </table> <br> <table align="center" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" border="0" width="456"> <tr> <td><img src="img/redtri.gif" width=16 height=12 align=top><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="audioed.asp">Audio Editors</a></font></td> <td><img src="img/redtri.gif" width=16 height=12 align=top><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="compsoft.asp">Sequencing Software</a></font></td></tr> <tr> <td><img src="img/redtri.gif" width=16 height=12 align=top><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="score.asp">Scoring Software</a></font></td> <td><img src="img/redtri.gif" width=16 height=12 align=top><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="othersoft.asp">Other Software</a></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="img/redtri.gif" width=16 height=12 align=top><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="plugin.asp">Plug-ins</a></font></td> <td><img src="img/redtri.gif" width=16 height=12 align=top><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="softsynth.asp">Software Synths</a></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="img/redtri.gif" width=16 height=12 align=top><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="vsti.asp">VST Plug-in Instruments</a></font></td> <td><img src="img/redtri.gif" width=16 height=12 align=top><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="cdr.asp">Hardware - CD writers</a></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="img/redtri.gif" width=16 height=12 align=top><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="keys.asp">Hardware - Keyboards</a></font></td> <td><img src="img/redtri.gif" width=16 height=12 align=top><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="scards.asp">Hardware - Soundcards</a></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="img/redtri.gif" width=16 height=12 align=top><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="smodules.asp">Hardware - Sound Modules</a></font></td> <td><img src="img/redtri.gif" width=16 height=12 align=top><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="speak.asp">Hardware - Speakers</a></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="img/redtri.gif" width=16 height=12 align=top><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="other.asp">Other</a></font></td> <td><img src="img/redtri.gif" width=16 height=12 align=top><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><a href="midi.asp">MIDI controllers and interfaces</a></font></td> </tr> </table> <table cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" border="0" width="651"> <tr> <br> <td colspan="8"> <table width="100%" border=0 cellspacing=0 bgcolor="#00000" cellpadding=2> <tr> <td height=19><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="#FFFFFF" size=2> <a name="keys"><b>MIDI controllers and interfaces</b></a></font></td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="45"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Platform</b></font></td> <td width="128"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Product</b></font></td> <td width="67"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Price</b></font></td> <td width="83"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Distributor</b></font></td> <td width="94"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Tel</b></font></td> <td width="125"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Web</b></font></td> <td width="28"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Score</b></font></td> <td width="31"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Issue</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="45"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">PC/Mac</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="128"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>EgoSys DrG 6400</b></font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="67"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">£149</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="83"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Arbiter</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="94"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">020 8970 1909</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="125"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">www.arbitergroup.co.uk</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="28"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1" color="#FF0000">7</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="31"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">28</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="45"></td> <td colspan="7"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"> More of a sound module than a MIDI interface really, it connects through the joystick port on a PC or serial port on a Mac and has just one MIDI In and Out.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="45"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">PC/Mac</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="128"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Emagic AMT8</b></font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="67"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">£349</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="83"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Sound Technology</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="94"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">01462 480000</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="125"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">www.emagic.de</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="28"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1" color="#FF0000">8</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="31"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">28</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="45"></td> <td colspan="7"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"> Sporting eight Ins and Outs, all with LEDs, and boasting spot on timing, this is one for the professionals - a fact reflected in the price.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="45"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">PC/Mac</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="128"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Emagic MT4</b></font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="67"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">£129</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="83"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Sound Technology</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="94"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">01462 480000</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="125"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">www.emagic.de</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="28"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1" color="#FF0000">8</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="31"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">28</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="45"></td> <td colspan="7"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"> Drawing its power from the USB port, the MT4 can handle up to 64 channels of MIDI with perfect timing. A useful little number at a nice priceĆ </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="45"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">PC/Mac</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="128"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Roland UM-2</b></font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="67"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">£49.99</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="83"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Edirol</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="94"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">0845 117 2001</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="125"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">www.edirol.com</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="28"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1" color="#FF0000">6</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="31"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">28</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="45"></td> <td colspan="7"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"> Offering support for two Ins and Outs, this has some nice little features, but you'll probably find you outgrow it very quickly.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="45"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">PC/Mac</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="128"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Roland UM-4</b></font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="67"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">£49.99</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="83"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Edirol</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="94"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">0845 117 2001</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="125"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">www.edirol.com</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="28"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1" color="#FF0000">8</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="31"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">28</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="45"></td> <td colspan="7"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"> With four Ins and Outs, this has enough MIDI ports to keep most users happy and it's expandable with a USB hub. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="45"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">PC/Mac</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="128"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Yamaha UX256</b></font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="67"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">£199</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="83"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Yamaha</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="94"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">01908 366700</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="125"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">www.yamaha.com</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="28"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1" color="#FF0000">8</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="31"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">28</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="45"></td> <td colspan="7"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"> Including two small eight-pin serial ports, the UX256 is worth checking out if you have a serial-compatible synth.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="45"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">PC/Mac</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="128"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Kenton Control Freak SE</b></font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="67"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">£299.99</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="83"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Kenton</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="94"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">020 8544 9200</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="125"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">www.kenton.co.uk</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="28"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1" color="#FF0000">10</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="31"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">29</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="45"></td> <td colspan="7"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"> An exceptional piece of kit for mixing down your tracks in a sequencer, with 16 faders, superb build quality and perfect programmability.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="45"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">PC/Mac</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="128"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>NI 4Control</b></font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="67"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">£199</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="83"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Turnkey</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="94"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">020 7419 9999</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="125"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">www.nativeinstruments.com</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="28"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1" color="#FF0000">10</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="31"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">29</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="45"></td> <td colspan="7"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"> A stunning controller which breaks the mould with no absolute knob positions, hence offering extremely fine control - truly excellent.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="45"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">PC/Mac</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="128"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Phat.Boy 2</b></font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="67"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">£149.99</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="83"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">GMEDIA</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="94"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">01491 577147</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="125"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">www.gmedia.com</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="28"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1" color="#FF0000">8</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="31"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">29</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="45"></td> <td colspan="7"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">The essential little black box for anyone with an XG, GS or AWE sound source.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="45"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">PC/Mac</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="128"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Tascam US-428</b></font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="67"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">£449.99</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="83"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Tascam/Teac</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="94"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">01923819630</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" width="125"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">www.tascam.com</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="28"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1" color="#FF0000">9</font></td> <td bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center" width="31"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">30</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="45"></td> <td colspan="7"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Works with most sequencers, incredibly easy to use, good recording quality and a nice feel to the sliders. </font></td> </tr> </table> <br> </font></td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <center><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1" color="#ff0000"> © Future Publishing 2001. All rights reserved. <br></center><br> </body> </html>